Dilip Chhabria - The man who turned his obsession for cars into work of art

A well-known designer and innovator shared his life journey, career in modifying cars and success story with the students of Manipal University on Friday.Kevin Mendonsa | TNN | Updated: October 02, 2016, 13:06 IST

MANIPAL: “My parents had to paint the house walls several times because I used to draw car pictures on them. I was obsessed with cars and I wasn’t aware there was a career in car designing,” says Dilip Chhabria, founder of DC Design.

A well-known designer and innovator shared his life journey, career in modifying cars and success story with the students of Manipal University on Friday.

The event was organised by Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal.“I was very shy, filled with inferiority complex, never liked going to college, but I was pursuing my hobby outside classroom. I had a lot of time for myself since I was shy and it was the genesis of my career. So, people who are shy should feel proud about it,” he said when asked by the moderator to describe his days as a college student. For him, car models were his role models.

Talking about his girlfriend in his college days, Dilip said on a lighter note, “My girlfriend strengthened my inferiority complex by dumping me very fast, which helped me succeed. So guys, if you want to be successful – get dumped.” He continued to add that his ex-girlfriend called him after 25 years and told him that her son loves his car design and is a huge fan.

“Then I realised I was not that bad after all. Today, her daughter has become my daughter-in-law,” he said.After college, he left for US to pursue studies in car design. “I expected to be an entrepreneur but not a car designer since my dad was into manufacturing electrical component. However, he supported my passion and individuality and thus, I kick-started my career in 1993,” he said.

His love for cars inspired the names of his children. He named his daughter Minica and son as Bonita. “My son is still angry at me for choosing this name,” he added.Dilip revealed that he soon earned name and fame when DC designed the Bond car, Aston Martin V8 Vantage. “Cars are like moving billboards and they get noticed very easily,”he said.

When asked about his favourite design, he said that it’s always the latest one. “It’s like love – you’re always in love with the latest crush.” ‘No future for diesel cars’According to Dilip, the road for diesel cars will come to end soon due to emission problem. Petrol and electric car will increase.

​​This comes as a surprise to the industry as Rakesh was recently elevated to the position of Directo Sales and Marketing which was the third promotion for him in six years of his tenure in the company.